Medea

Medea

Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini • 1969 • Italy, France, West Germany
Starring Maria Callas, Massimo Girotti, Laurent Terzieff

In this hypnotic adaptation of Euripides’s immortal tragedy, Pier Paolo Pasolini casts opera diva Maria Callas (utterly arresting in her only film role) as the sorceress of Greek legend, whose separation from her homeland of Colchis and betrayal by her lover, Jason, lead her down a path of shocking vengeance. Melding Western myth with aesthetic and musical influences from numerous world cultures, Pasolini fashions a mesmerizing cinematic pageant that gathers in force until it explodes in rage and a stunningly nihilistic condemnation of injustice.

Medea
  • Medea

    Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini • 1969 • Italy, France, West Germany
    Starring Maria Callas, Massimo Girotti, Laurent Terzieff

    In this hypnotic adaptation of Euripides’s immortal tragedy, Pier Paolo Pasolini casts opera diva Maria Callas (utterly arresting in her only film role) as the sorceress ...

Extras

  • MEDEA On-Set Memories

    This 2004 documentary on the making of MEDEA features rare behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with actors Laurent Terzieff and Giuseppe Gentile, cinematographer Ennio Guarnieri, production designer Dante Ferretti, costume designer Piero Tosi, and still photographer Mario Tursi.

  • Maria Callas Interview

    In this interview for the French television program Pour le cinéma, directed by Pierre Mignot and aired on October 28, 1969, actor and opera icon Maria Callas speaks from the set of MEDEA about her first on-screen performance and collaboration with Pasolini.